RCW 36.32.005 “County commissioners” defined. The term “county commissioners” when used in this title or any other provision of law shall include the governmental authority empowered to so act under the provisions of a charter adopted by any county of the state. [ 1971 ex.s. c 117 § 1.]
RCW 36.32.010 Board of commissioners established—Quorum. There is established in each county in this state a board of county commissioners. Except as provided in RCW 36.32.055 and 36.32.0552, each board of county commissioners shall consist of three qualified electors, two of whom shall constitute a quorum to do business. [ 1990 c 252 § 1; […]
RCW 36.32.020 Commissioner districts—Voluntary change to electoral system. The board of county commissioners of each county shall divide their county into three commissioner districts so that each district shall comprise as nearly as possible one-third of the population of the county: PROVIDED, That the territory comprised in any voting precincts of such districts shall remain […]
RCW 36.32.030 Terms of commissioners. (1) Except as provided otherwise in subsection (2) of this section, the terms of office of county commissioners shall be four years and shall extend until their successors are elected and qualified and assume office in accordance with RCW 29A.60.280. The terms of office of county commissioners shall be staggered […]
RCW 36.32.040 Nomination by districts—Voluntary change to electoral system. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the qualified electors of each county commissioner district, and they only, shall nominate from among their own number, candidates for the office of county commissioner of such commissioner district to be voted for at the following […]
RCW 36.32.050 Election. (1) Except as provided otherwise in subsection (2) of this section or this chapter, county commissioners shall be elected by the qualified voters of the county and the person receiving the highest number of votes for the office of commissioner for the district in which he or she resides shall be declared […]
RCW 36.32.051 District-based elections—Definitions. The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) “District” means a geographic area within county boundaries and designated in a county redistricting plan, as provided in RCW 36.32.054. (2) “District election” means a candidate from each district is elected in a general election […]
RCW 36.32.052 District-based elections—When required—Procedures. (1) Beginning in 2022, any noncharter county with a population of four hundred thousand or more must have a board of commissioners with five members, and must use district nominations and district elections for its commissioner positions, in accordance with RCW 36.32.050. (a) By April 30, 2021, the county must […]
RCW 36.32.053 District-based elections—Redistricting committee—Membership. (1) A county redistricting committee established under this chapter must have five members appointed in each year ending in one, as follows: (a) One member shall be appointed by the members of each of the two largest caucuses, respectively, of the house of representatives whose legislative districts are wholly or […]
RCW 36.32.054 District-based elections—Redistricting committee—Districting plan—Requirements. (1) Within one hundred twenty days after a redistricting committee is established under this chapter, the committee must prepare and publish a draft districting plan dividing the county into five commissioner districts. The committee must hold public meetings in preparing the draft, in compliance with chapter 42.30 RCW, and […]
RCW 36.32.055 Five-member commission—When authorized—Ballot proposition—Petition—Procedures. (1) The board of commissioners of any noncharter county with a population of three hundred thousand or more, and less than four hundred thousand, may cause a ballot proposition to be submitted at a general election to the voters of the county authorizing the board of commissioners to be […]
RCW 36.32.0552 Five-member commission—Newly created positions—How filled—County divided into five districts. If the ballot proposition receives majority voter approval, the size of the board of county commissioners shall be increased to five members as provided in this section. The two newly created positions shall be filled at elections to be held in the next year. […]
RCW 36.32.0554 Five-member commission—Newly created positions—Terms of initially elected commissioners. The terms of the persons who are initially elected to positions four and five under RCW 36.32.0552 shall be as follows: (1) If the year in which the primary and general elections are held is an even-numbered year, the person elected to position four shall […]
RCW 36.32.0556 Five-member commissions—Four-year terms—Nominations by districts—Elected by entire county—Quorum. The commissioners in a five-member board of county commissioners shall be elected to four-year staggered terms. Each commissioner shall reside in a separate commissioner district. Each commissioner shall be nominated from a separate commissioner district by the voters of that district. Each shall be elected […]
RCW 36.32.0558 Five-member commissions—Vacancies. Vacancies on a board of county commissioners consisting of five members shall be filled as provided in RCW 36.32.070, except that: (1) Whenever there are three or more vacancies, the governor shall appoint one or more commissioners until there are a total of three commissioners; (2) Whenever there are two vacancies, […]
RCW 36.32.060 Conditions of official bond. The bond of each county commissioner shall be payable to the county, and it shall be conditioned that the commissioner shall well and faithfully discharge the duties of his or her office, and not approve, audit, or order paid any illegal, unwarranted, or unjust claim against the county for […]
RCW 36.32.070 Vacancies on board. Whenever there is a vacancy in the board of county commissioners, except as provided in RCW 36.32.0558, it shall be filled as follows: (1) If there are three vacancies, the governor of the state shall appoint two of the officers. The two commissioners thus appointed shall then meet and select […]
RCW 36.32.080 Regular meetings—Joint regular meetings—Regular meetings held outside of the county seat. (1) The county legislative authority of each county shall hold regular meetings at the county seat or at a location designated in accordance with subsection (2) or (3) of this section to transact any business required or permitted by law. (2)(a) Any […]
RCW 36.32.090 Special meetings—Joint special meetings. (1) The county legislative authority of each county may hold special meetings at the county seat or at a location designated in accordance with subsection (2) or (3) of this section to transact the business of the county. Notice of a special meeting shall be made as provided in […]
RCW 36.32.100 Chair of board—Election, powers. The board of county commissioners at their first session after the general election shall elect one of its number to preside at its meetings. He or she shall sign all documents requiring the signature of the board, and his or her signature as chair of the board shall be […]
